12 replies to this topic

[Toffe98]

Hi!

 

Wondering about what fuel line to get for the Mini. I know the stock line is 6mm od (5/16") but if I want to upgrade the carburettor and possibly cylinder head in the near future, will 6mm be enough or should I fit an 8mm already? And what about 10mm, is that too big? 10mm is the size I could get probably the easiest, atleast a lot easier than 8mm. But if 6mm will be enough for a "fast road" car with a big bore head and probably an hif44 carb then that's probably what I'll go for, and maybe upgrade if I decide to supercharge the car at some point. Oh and the current configuration is an almost stock 1293cc engine with an hs4 carb, almost stock meaning that it's just bored to 1293 and has a slightly faster cam in it.

 

And any opinions on what material the fuel lines should be? If going with a 6mm I think copper is the only option but for 8mm and 10mm theres both copper and aluminium available.

 

- Toffe

[Stu1961]

I would imagine the stock size as you call it would be sufficent even for a HIF44 which is 1/4" o/d x 22SWG, SWG figure refers to the wall thickness (0.028") Cupro nickel would be the most suitable material as it pretty much corrosion resistant and is better than copper with regards to its ability to resist fatigue. 6mm o/d tube maybe a little restrictive as it may well be a smaller bore than the 1/4" tube.   

[cal844]

If in the UK one can get a roll of 8mm (ID) microbore boiler pipe, i use this on my minis

[Avtovaz]

If in the UK one can get a roll of 8mm (ID) microbore boiler pipe, i use this on my minis

 

You can get it for gas i think it is too, its plastic coated, i use it on my rally car.

 

 

Edit

 

click here

Edited by Avtovaz, 26 March 2019 - 09:56 PM.

[cal844]

If in the UK one can get a roll of 8mm (ID) microbore boiler pipe, i use this on my minis

You can get it for gas i think it is too, its plastic coated, i use it on my rally car.


Edit

click here

That does the job at double the price

[DeadSquare]

A 3 liter V6 Ford Capri only has a 1/4" fuel line,   .....................   unlike one race car which got round the NASCAR regulation size fuel tank by having a 9" fuel pipe !.

Edited by DeadSquare, 27 March 2019 - 09:34 AM.

[Toffe98]

So if I'd go for the plastic coated 8mm copper pipe, what fittings should I use to connect the steel braided pipe that connects it to the tank and the fuel pump? Oh and of course I meant that the stock size is 6mm = 1/4", not 5/16" as I said.

[Avtovaz]

On the rally car I’ve used a stretching tool , does the same job as ramming a screw driver into it to stretch it out . Then I’ve just clipped onto that with rubber pipe , and a juberlee clip . That’s on high pressure injection too

[nicklouse]

to be honest there is no reason to fit anything larger than the outlet of the tank.  and then just some suitable rubber fuel hose.

[paulrockliffe]

I looked at hard lines on Merlin Motorsport a while ago, it was much more expensive than that copper pipe.

Is there any benefit to using the stuff sold by Motorsport companies, rather than something cheaper?

[DeadSquare]

If you use 99% pure copper tubing, you MUST protect it from road salt.

 

8mm OD Kunifer brake pipe is 90% Copper - 10% Nickel and is not attacked by Sodium Chloride.

 

Because I can easily obtain it, I now use the plastic pipe for pressurising beer kegs with carbon dioxide.  For added safety I thread it through a stainless steel tube that runs inside the car.

[Steve220]

to be honest there is no reason to fit anything larger than the outlet of the tank. and then just some suitable rubber fuel hose.

^this.

To put it into perspective, many turbo minis are running stock lines and fueling for 160bhp+.

[Toffe98]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

 

to be honest there is no reason to fit anything larger than the outlet of the tank. and then just some suitable rubber fuel hose.

^this.

To put it into perspective, many turbo minis are running stock lines and fueling for 160bhp+.

 

 

I think I'll go with this advice and just get some 6mm copper tubing and probably protect it somehow. The road salt isn't too big of a problem for me because I won't be driving in the winter here in Finland anyway, but it's probably no harm in protecting it anyway.